Rato Machhindranath Festival: Bathing Ceremony Concluded [Photos]

KATHMANDU: APRIL. 18 – This Baisakh Shukla Pratipada marks the beginning of Rato Matsyendranath’s chariot journey, which is more than 1600 years old, the largest in Lalitpur, and the longest in the Kathmandu Valley.

Rato Matsyendranath, also known as Padmapani Karunamay Lokeshwar, was Mahasnan (bath) yesterday in Lagankhel, Lalitpur. After Tantric worship, water is poured on the feet and Mahasnan (bathing) is performed. In Pulchowk, the construction of the chariot begins after the bath.

Rato Matsyendranath’s jatra will run from Baisakh Shukla Pratipada to Ashar Shukla Chauthi. Rato Matsyendranath is traditionally kept in Bungamati for 6 months and in Lalitpur for 6 months. The chariot will be taken to Bungamati after showing Bhoto in Jawalakhel.

The virgin of Lalitpur is also brought to the Mahasnan site from the Kumari Ghar in Rato Matsyendranath’s Mahasnan.

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